New Fleet of Self-Driving Cars Offer Rides for Families in Phoenix

"[Self-driving car company] Waymo is giving free 'everyday access' to selected families in the Phoenix area, part of an effort to spur real-world adoption of the technology and build a base of future customers," reports Michael Laris.

The Waymo model rolling out in Phoenix is similar to the product Uber launched in Pittsburgh in September 2016. But, according to Laris, "Waymo is pursuing a deeper connection with its future paid passengers — and hoping to learn how early enthusiasts actually behave."

Phoenix's willingness to allow self-driving cars onto the streets comes against the backdrop of California putting the "finishing touches on the nation's most far-reaching rules on autonomous cars," according to Laris. In California's place, "other states, including Arizona, are seeking to gain a bigger foothold, in part by presenting a more permissive regulatory environment."